Manchester United beaten in the race for Irish Wonderkid Baba

Manchester United’s tradition of signing the most promising footballing talents from Ireland has been dealt a blow today. Fulham sneaked ahead of United by convincing 16 year old Noe Baba that his immediate future belonged at Craven Cottage.

The Cameroon born versatile defender was called up to the Republic of Ireland U19 squad in October and will join Fulham for a fee of 130,000. Also in the hunt for the prodigious teenager was Sunderland and Celtic, but Fulham won the race after their academy set up won the heart of young Baba.

The first African-born player to have captained an Irish youth team is believed to have passed a medical with Fulham and will formalise his transfer on Thursday. Arriving from Castlebar Celtic in County Mayo, he will join up with the London club in January and will benefit from the presence of youth development gurus, Malcolm Elias, Steve Wigley, Huw Jennings and Stewart Henderson.

The youth coaches were integral to the careers of Wayne Bridge, Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain when at Southampton and despite separating to join different clubs, their reformation is said to have persuaded Baba that he can follow in their footsteps.